On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 2025), Dien Bien Province solemnly held the Flag Hoisting Ceremony and unveiled the A Pa Chai Flagpole project (Sin Thau Commune, Muong Nhe District). This structure carries profound historical significance and stands as a symbol affirming the sacred territorial sovereignty of the nation at the Vietnam–Laos–China border junction. Alongside the zero border marker, A Pa Chai Flagpole is expected to become a prominent landmark that promotes tourism development in Muong Nhe in particular and Dien Bien Province in general.

A Pa Chai Flagpole.

A Sacred Symbol of Sovereignty

The A Pa Chai Flagpole was built atop a 1,459-meter-high mountain in the Khoang La San range, Sin Thau Commune, about 1,400 meters from Marker 0 at the Vietnam–Laos–China border junction.

Every design detail and technical specification of the flagpole holds meaningful significance, tied to the legacy of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the diverse cultural life of the local ethnic minorities.

The flagpole stands at a total height of 45.19 meters, with a flag size of 7.5 x 5 meters. The pole itself is octagonal, and the base is adorned with five relief panels depicting characteristic images of Northwestern culture and ethnic motifs. The themes include: the legend of the Mother Gourd, religious beliefs, labor and production, folk songs and dances, traditional games, and notable festivals of Dien Bien’s ethnic communities. The top of the pole features stone reliefs themed "Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Northwest." The path to the flagpole comprises 519 steps that follow the natural terrain of the hillside.

During construction, thousands of border guards, local militia, youth union members, and ethnic villagers from Sin Thau and surrounding areas dedicated their labor. Braving harsh sun and rain, they carried soil, bricks, and cement up the mountain to help build the structure. Every brick, stone, and plant at the site carries the sweat and devotion of hundreds of people over the past year.

Local militia from Sin Thau commune, helped clean and maintain the A Pa Chai Flagpole site.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Dung, Commander of A Pa Chai Border Post, stated that throughout the construction process, officers, soldiers, and local people worked together to facilitate the project. Particularly in the peak period leading up to the Flag Hoisting Ceremony, hundreds of personnel from the A Pa Chai, Leng Su Sin, and Sen Thuong border posts, along with local youth and villagers, actively cleaned the site, planted trees, and completed the surrounding landscape. On many days, they worked from early morning until 10 PM to meet the schedule.

Thanks to these tireless efforts, on the morning of May 7, the red flag with a yellow star proudly flew atop Khoang La San, affirming the sacred sovereignty of the nation.

A Highlight to Boost Tourism Development

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Thanh Do emphasized that the A Pa Chai Flagpole is an architectural work of profound historical, cultural, and political significance. It symbolizes the sacred sovereignty of the nation and will serve as a key tourism highlight in Muong Nhe and along the Dien Bien – A Pa Chai westernmost route, providing momentum for Dien Bien’s tourism growth.

Visitors and officials took commemorative photos at the A Pa Chai Flagpole ceremonial square.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu, a tourist from Hanoi, expressed his honor at attending the flag-hoisting event at the nation’s westernmost point during the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory:
“I’ve conquered Marker 0 twice before, back when we had to trek through dense forests and reed-covered hills, taking a whole day to go back and forth. But this time was special standing beneath the national flag on such a significant day, at this sacred monument of national sovereignty, I was incredibly proud and moved. That emotion strengthens my sense of duty to protect our borders, preserve peace, and spread patriotism, solidarity, and the spirit of national resilience.”

Once operational, the A Pa Chai Flagpole will become a new attraction on the “rooster crows – three countries hear” border junction tour. Alongside Marker 0 and the vibrant cultural space of the Ha Nhi people, the site promises to create a rich experience that attracts and retains tourists, linking tourism development with the local economy.

A Cultural and Culinary Heritage

The traditional dances of Ha Nhi women in Sin Thau commune, are also a cultural highlight. The Ha Nhi celebrate unique festivals such as: Ga Ma Thu (2nd-month Tet), the Rain Prayer Festival, Forest Worship Ceremony, Ho Su Cha (New Rice Tet), and Khu Su Cha (the traditional Tet). During these occasions, visitors can enjoy folk dances portraying daily life and labor, such as: drum dancing (Hu tu mi xa cu), farming dance, hat dance, Xoe dance, and the “Beautiful Day” dance.

Traditional dance of Ha Nhi ethnic women in Sin Thau commune.

Ha Nhi cuisine is equally distinctive, with traditional dishes like grilled pork, grilled buffalo, stream fish, chicken porridge, and sticky rice in various colors (purple, yellow). These dishes are not only flavorful but are also skillfully prepared, reflecting a deep respect for nature and warm hospitality.

The A Pa Chai Flagpole is expected to become a central tourism feature, a driving force for Muong Nhe's and Dien Bien’s economic growth. As with other symbolic landmarks, it serves a dual purpose: a "red address" for educating about revolutionary history and a unique destination for cultural promotion and cross-border exchanges.

To unlock and maximize this potential, effective management and community engagement are vital. The flagpole should be well-integrated with other tourism products in the region to form a rich, immersive experience from natural scenery to cultural identity and tourism services.

The local tourism sector is actively developing tour packages and planning suitable routes to capitalize on the site. Local authorities are encouraging communities to shift toward tourism-based economies through concrete actions such as preserving cultural heritage, architecture, and cuisine, and developing lodging services to better serve tourists.

A Pa Chai Flagpole, a sacred symbol of national sovereignty is set to become a compelling destination that propels local tourism development.

Mr. Ly Phi Ca, Secretary of the Party Committee of Sin Thau Commune, stated that the commune’s 2021–2025 tourism development resolution, with a vision to 2030, aims for Sin Thau to become a major stop on the Muong Nhe tourism route by 2025. The goal is to create sustainable livelihoods, raise incomes, and shift the local economic structure toward services. The commune also aspires to become a tourism bridge between Muong Nhe and Jiangcheng County (Yunnan, China) and neighboring communes. In the coming period, Sin Thau will strengthen cooperation with relevant sectors and mobilize local people to effectively tap the tourism potential of the A Pa Chai Flagpole.

The potential and advantages are clear but how can the A Pa Chai Flagpole become a sustainable development driver for the local ethnic communities? And how can it truly awaken a sense of border protection among the youth and tourists? These are key questions for local authorities and stakeholders as the site opens to visitors./.

Source: Dien Bien Phu Online